Just days after seeing his 2026 World Cup dream slip away, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been handed one of the biggest appointments of his career.

UEFA has named the 34-year-old to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League holders Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12, 2026.

The appointment comes after Artan was unable to participate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being selected among FIFA’s match officials.

The highly-rated referee was denied entry into the United States, preventing him from taking up his role at football’s biggest tournament.

I'm not aware Thomas Partey has been denied Canada visa - Sports Minister


Now, European football’s governing body has moved to recognize his achievements by entrusting him with one of its most prestigious fixtures.

Artan has been on FIFA’s international list since 2018 and has steadily built a reputation as one of Africa’s finest officials.

His rise was further underlined in 2025 when he was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year.

Among the standout matches on his résumé is the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin described Artan as “an excellent young but already experienced referee” who has proven himself at the highest level of African football.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe also praised the Somali official, saying Artan had made Somalia and the entire African continent proud through his performances and international recognition.

The appointment forms part of the cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF, with both organizations describing it as an example of football’s ability to unite people across continents.

FKA/JE

Meanwhile, watch as Jeffrey Nortey shares his career journey from comedy to content creation